University

Rutgers U., mayor talk transit changes at meeting

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The Daily Targum reported that a Rutgers University Department of Transportation Services (RUDOTS) official and the Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway met and promised more collaboration on transportation initiatives.

The meeting occurred at an event hosted by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s (NJPIRG) Rutgers chapter.

Wahler, who works closely with RUDOT to encourage students to use public transit, said that RUDOT worked to make preparations for a future bus rapid transit route. Meanwhile, Dorothy Le, senior transportation planner for the University, said at the meeting that RUDOTS has begun a new initiative to encourage bicycling among students, according to the paper.

NJPIRG, a lobbying and advocacy organization, also discussed the results of their transportation survey, “A New Course: How Innovative University Programs Are Reducing Driving on Campus and Creating New Models for Transportation.” The report recommended free transit services, programs to promote bicycle use, ride sharing and car sharing initiatives. For the full story, click here.

There are 16 Ohio colleges and universities with similar partnerships with their regional transit authorities, however, UT’s agreement with TARTA is unique in that faculty and staff also benefit with free access to community bus routes.